by Catalina Camia, USA TODAY

by Catalina Camia, USA TODAY

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said she will not appoint a "place holder" to replace Jim DeMint in the U.S. Senate who pledges not to run for the seat in 2014.

DeMint, a Tea Party favorite, stunned some in the political world last week when he said he would resign to become president of the conservative Heritage Foundation. DeMint's decision sets up a scramble in South Carolina, starting first with Haley's appointment and then a special election in 2014.

In a statement released Monday, the GOP governor says she does not want to tie the hands of her appointee or the right of the Palmetto State's voters "to render their judgment on the appointee's performance by way of their vote."

"As I continue to consider the impending U.S. Senate vacancy, many have discussed the possibility of a 'place holder' appointee who would pledge to serve for only two years and not seek election to the seat in 2014," she said. "While there are some good arguments in favor of that approach, I believe the better case is against it. ...I believe South Carolina will be best served by a U.S. senator who will work hard day in and day out, and put him or herself before the voters at the soonest possible time."

Rep. Tim Scott's name is most often mentioned in news accounts as a possible successor to DeMint.

In related news, a new poll shows comedian Stephen Colbert, a South Carolina native, tops the list of possible DeMint replacements. Public Policy Polling says Colbert is backed by 20% of South Carolina voters, followed by Scott with 15%.

There is a Draft Colbert for Senate movement, which is not affiliated with the Comedy Central host. But he has been playing along, asking his followers on Twitter to tell Haley why he should be appointed.

Haley doesn't appear to be swayed. She gigged him on Facebook last week: "You didn't know our state drink. Big, big mistake."